Category: Daily Trust

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed the immediate past Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to lead its election observation mission to the upcoming presidential election in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire scheduled for 25 October 2025.

This was disclosed on Sunday in a statement by Mohammed Brimah from Osinbajo’s media Office.

According to the statement, the Mission was deployed on Sunday, 19 and will remain active until 29 October 2025, in line with the provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

‘As Head of Mission, Professor Osinbajo will lead a team of eminent West Africans tasked with engaging key national stakeholders to support a peaceful and credible electoral process, fostering cooperation with other international and domestic observer groups, and assessing the conduct of the polls,’ the statement disclosed.

The deployment of this observation mission underscores ECOWAS’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections in the sub-region.

As Nigerians continue to speak on their hopes as the Super Eagles prepare for the make-or-mar CAF and FIFA World Cup Playoffs, a former Katsina State Director of Sports, Alhaji Aminu Kofa-Soro has charged the former African champions to maintain the fighting spirit they showed against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic last Tuesday in Uyo.

Although the Super Eagles failed to qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, they ensured they finished second Behind Bafana Bafana of South Africa, earning for themselves a ticket to the CAF World Cup Playoff next month.

To qualify for the World Cup, the Super Eagles must win the African Playoff and ensure they pick one of the two tickets at the Inter-Continental Playoff in Mexico in March 2026.

Speaking to Daily Trust, the Katsina State born sports administrator said the three-time African champions must show maximum concentration and determination to reach the Mundial in 2026.

‘The performance of Super Eagles in the last match against Benin Republic was super because they showed commitment unlike in their previous matches,’ he said.

However, he warned that since no team in the world is a pushover, the Super Eagles must play with caution.

‘They have to play with determination without throwing caution to the winds. There are no more minnows in world football.

‘This is the time for every Nigerian to rally behind the Super Eagles. They need our prayers. We can’t afford eight years without a World Cup appearance,’ said Kofar-Soro.

A Magistrate Court sitting in Kano has directed the Kano State Hisbah Board to facilitate the marriage of two popular TikTok content creators, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, within 60 days.

The order followed their recent appearance in viral videos deemed ‘indecent’ by the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board.

The clips, which showed the duo engaging in romantic gestures, were described by authorities as contrary to the moral and religious values upheld in the state.

Presiding over the matter on Monday, Magistrate Halima Wali warned that failure to conduct the marriage within the stipulated timeframe would be treated as contempt of court. The court also mandated the Chairman of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board to oversee the implementation of the marriage order.

Daily Trust recalls that the two TikTokers were arraigned before the court in recent weeks for allegedly producing and circulating obscene content on social media.

Mai Wushirya was earlier remanded in a correctional facility after clips showing him engaging in what authorities described as ‘immoral and demeaning acts’ with the female content creator went viral.

The Censorship Board maintained that the videos violated state laws prohibiting the production and distribution of sexually suggestive or obscene material.

The Ogun State League of Imams and Alfas has condemned recent statements which alleged a targeted genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

The group described such claims as alarmist and unsubstantiated, warning that they could inflame tensions and deepen mistrust among religious communities.

In a statement signed by Imam Tajudeen Mustapha Adewunmi, Secretary General of the League, the Imams expressed concern that ‘reckless religious rhetoric could undermine Nigeria’s fragile unity and worsen interfaith relations.’

The body called on religious leaders to be more cautious and responsible in their utterances.

‘We wholeheartedly support and re-echo the wise counsel of the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who has cautioned against reckless narratives that may plunge the country into avoidable religious hostilities,’ Imam Adewunmi said.

The League noted that Nigeria’s current security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, affect all citizens regardless of their religious affiliation.

The body stressed that both Muslims and Christians have suffered losses at the hands of violent criminals whose motives are not religious but criminal.

Ten female teams across Nigeria are jostling for glory in the inaugural Governor Douye Diri Women Pre-season Football Tournament in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The 10 teams comprising eight Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) sides and two non-league teams, will test their strength in the competition which is aimed at preparing the clubs for the new season.

The pre-season tournament which is scheduled to end on October 25 kicked off yesterday with the opening match between Bayelsa Queens and Delta Queens.

In the first match, played at the Government House field, Bayelsa Queens piped Delta Queens 1-0, to start the tournament on a promising note.

According to the draws, the competition would be played in two groups of ‘A’ and ‘B’ with five teams in each group.

Group A has hosts, Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa, Delta Queens FC, Rivers Angels FC, Imo Strikers FC and Nasarawa Amazons while the clubs in group B are Bayelsa Princesses FC, FC Robo, Abia Angels FC, Edo Queens FC and Heartland Queens FC of Owerri.

Other clubs are; Rivers Angels of Port-Harcourt, Imo Strikers, Heartland Queens, FC Robo and Bayelsa Princesses.

The chairman of Bayelsa Queens football club, who doubles as the chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Pastor Robin Apreala, assured the teams of fairness throughout the tournament, urging the referees to be professional in the discharge of their duties.

Liverpool slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in 11 years as Manchester United won 2-1 on Sunday to end their near decade-long wait for victory at Anfield.

Harry Maguire’s 84th minute header secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in Ruben Amorim’s tenure as United boss.

Twelve minutes from time, Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s opener after just 61 seconds.

Defeat leaves Liverpool four points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the table and Arne Slot still searching for answers in how to get the right blend after splashing out nearly £450 million on new players in the transfer market.

The management of Kano Pillars Football Club has announced the immediate suspension of its Technical Adviser, Ogenyi Evans, and Chief Coach, Ahmed Garba Yaro Yaro, following what it described as the team’s unsatisfactory performance in the ongoing 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

In a statement issued by the club’s Media and Communications Directorate, the management said the decision was taken after reviewing the team’s recent poor run of form.

‘So far, the Sai Masu Gida have played eight matches, recording two wins, two draws, and four losses,’ the statement read.

The club, one of Nigeria’s most successful sides, has struggled to maintain consistency this season, raising concerns among fans and stakeholders about the team’s technical direction. In the interim, former club captain and Assistant Coach, Gambo Muhammad, has been appointed to take charge of the team’s technical affairs.

He will be assisted by goalkeeping coach, Suleiman Shuaibu, while Coach Garzali Muhammad (Kusa) from Junior Pillars will provide additional support in an ad-hoc capacity, pending further directives.

The statement assured fans that the management remains committed to repositioning the team and restoring its winning culture.

Kano Pillars, also known as ‘Sai Masu Gida’, currently sits in the lower half of the NPFL table and will be hoping for a turn-around as the season progresses.

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State have rejected any speculated or potential move by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join their party from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Mutfwang, a prominent PDP figure, has repeatedly dismissed rumours of defection to the APC, reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP until the next general election.

However, with two of his colleagues, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, resigning from the PDP last week to join the APC, and reports suggesting Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas may follow, speculations have intensified that Mutfwang and other PDP governors in the North may also dump their party for the ruling APC.

At an APC stakeholders’ meeting held at Crest Hotel, Jos, on Friday, party executives and members resolved that they would not accept any move by Governor Mutfwang to join their ranks.

The Plateau APC’s position mirrored a similar development in Osun State, where the party reportedly blocked Governor Ademola Adeleke, who faces re-election next year, from joining after months of consultations that saw some of the state’s federal lawmakers defect ahead of him.

The Plateau meeting was attended by APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, former Governor and party leader in the state Senator Simon Bako Lalong, former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase, former Governor Joshua Dariye, former Minister Dame Pauline Tallen, Managing Director/CEO of the North Central Development Commission, Dr Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, serving and former lawmakers, and hundreds of party faithful.

Announcing the resolution, Yilwatda, who contested the 2023 governorship election against Mutfwang, called on a former Deputy National Secretary of the APC, Barrister Festus Fuanter, to move a motion on the issue. ‘Let me ask Hon. Festus Fuanter, who shares my sentiment, to lead us in moving a motion,’ he said.

Moving the motion, Fuanter asked members whether they would accept Mutfwang’s entry into the APC. The proposal was unanimously rejected through a voice vote.

Fuanter later said: ‘We don’t want anybody coming to our party. You do your thing, and we’ll do ours. Having put that behind us, I want the media to make it very clear that we are unanimous in our resolve to win the 2027 elections decisively. We don’t need support from any other party. If their campaign director and other defectors are already here, we have nothing to fear. We have people from all zones in the state, and APC is a winning team.’

Mutfwang camp dismisses rejection claim

However, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Mutfwang, Gyang Bere, has denied any plan by the governor to join the APC, stressing that the governor has the capacity to win the 2027 election without switching parties.

In a chat with our correspondent, Bere said, ‘To whom did the governor make an attempt to join them? Who among the APC members did Mutfwang approach to join the party? As far as I’m concerned, I learned that they made a comment that Mutfwang is sitting on a stolen mandate. During the 2023 election, how many members of the House of Assembly did the APC have? How many members of the National Assembly do they have?

‘As far as we are concerned, the people of Plateau State are with Governor Mutfwang. They believe in him because he has restored confidence and governance in the state. There’s no local government or senatorial zone in Plateau where the governor’s footprints are not seen.

‘We know very well that the people of Plateau are with Governor Mutfwang, and he has made it clear that his political movement is determined by God and the people of Plateau State. So, we don’t want to join issues with anybody. The governor knows what he’s doing and remains with the people of Plateau. He holds them in high esteem and is very assured of victory in 2027. There’s no one that can overturn what God has planned for Governor Mutfwang ahead of the 2027 election,’ Bere added.

Also reacting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State denied any plan by Governor Mutfwang to defect, describing the claim as baseless.

The party’s Southern Zonal Chairman, Hon. Simon Domle, told Daily Trust that ‘Governor Mutfwang has never attempted and will never attempt to decamp to the APC because there’s nothing to gain there. Mutfwang doesn’t need to join the APC to win elections. The governor didn’t seek acceptance into the APC, let alone being rejected.

‘APC as a party is just a vehicle standing on a flat tyre in Plateau State. If a vehicle is standing on a flat tyre and you are driving it, the vehicle is not going anywhere. That vehicle will soon be condemned because the tyre cannot carry you, and it will make a lot of noise.

‘What is the sense in saying a sitting governor who won his election legitimately has been rejected by another party? As far as this governor is concerned, a performing governor, he is not even listening to the noise the APC is making. It’s an empty claim that will not happen. Plateau has PDP as its political inheritance. The governor is not moving anywhere.’

Northern Christians decide to vote Tinubu in 2027 – Nentawe

Speaking at the stakeholders meeting, Nentawe disclosed that Christian communities in northern Nigeria have resolved to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Nentawe said northern Christians now believe the president has addressed their fears of marginalisation, despite initial concerns over the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

He said: ‘During President Tinubu’s visit to Plateau, he met with Christian leaders. They told the president that although they initially feared marginalisation because of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, he has proved them wrong. They said they prefer to stand with him this time around.’

According to Nentawe, Plateau and other states have no reason to reject President Tinubu, given his performance over the past two years. ‘I am not ashamed to go on radio, TV, or any other media platform to talk about President Tinubu because he has done well for this country. We have reasons to support him for a second term. He has given voices to minorities. Plateau today has a voice,’ he said.

He said the president deserves a second term for reviving the economy and putting the nation on the path of progress. He added that the president holds Plateau and the APC family in high esteem and that the party is growing stronger daily. He also disclosed that the APC government would soon unveil a ‘world-best empowerment programme’ for youths, women, and other groups nationwide.

Subsequently, the APC in Plateau State unanimously endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term. This followed a similar gesture from the party leaders in Kogi and Kaduna states at the weekend.

The endorsement, which mirrored a similar trajectory taken by the party’s national leadership earlier in the year, was conducted by Fuanter who moved the motion for Tinubu’s endorsement as the sole candidate for 2027, seconded by State APC Woman Leader Hon. Alice Dimlong. The motion received overwhelming support.

Party leader, Senator Simon Bako Lalong welcomed the decision, saying the president deserves another term for his commitment to Nigerians and his inclusion of Plateau in national governance. He noted that Tinubu’s appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshewe as APC National Chairman was ‘a great blessing to Plateau,’ symbolising access to development and opportunities for the people.

Lalong said Plateau APC is now united, with all factions reconciled and members who earlier left the party returning. He added that new members from other political parties, including those in the current state government, have joined the APC.

Shettima to receive defectors October 30

The APC National Chairman also announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima will visit Plateau State on October 30 to formally receive defectors from other political parties into the APC.

Nentawe said: ‘I have spoken with the vice president and other APC governors. They have all agreed to attend the reception of the defectors. All preparations for the event have been completed.’

He further disclosed that more prominent figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the PDP across the country would soon defect to the APC.

‘Our party is healthy, no viral attack. We are receiving members from the ADC and PDP. More senators and governors are coming. If you leave the APC, you are deceiving yourself. Don’t be deceived to leave the party. Think twice. All who decamp to the APC will enjoy equal opportunities with old members. They will be given positions, and no one will be left behind. We have the capacity to win elections,’ Nentawe added.

Policemen deployed to stop the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest have arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, according to convener of the protest, Omoyele Sowore.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore alleged that policemen arrested Kanu’s brother, Ejimakor, and other bystanders.

‘The @PoliceNG team deployed to brutalize #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, and his lawyer, @AloyEjimakor, as well as innocent bystanders. They were beaten and taken to the FCT command. The police must release them immediately!,’ Sowore wrote

Daily Trust had reported how the police used live bullets to disperse the protesters seeking the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021.

There were reports that security operatives fired several teargas canisters at commuters around the Central Business District of Abuja, causing panic and disrupting early morning traffic.

Major roads around the city centre were also barricaded, leading to heavy gridlock and confusion.

Ahead of the demonstration, the Nigeria Police Force had designated parts of the capital as ‘no-protest zones.’

Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, had said a Federal High Court order in Abuja had restrained groups from holding protests within and around key government buildings, including Aso Rock, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

He urged all groups-whether for or against Kanu’s continued detention-to comply strictly with the court’s directive.

Kanu’s trial on terrorism-related charges continues at the Federal High Court, Abuja, while Sowore and other activists maintain calls for his unconditional release.

The Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Hon. Mamman Nda Ari, has said the State Local Government Electoral Law signed into law recently is to enhance a free, fair and credible next Local Government elections in 2026.

The SIEC Chairman disclosed this on Friday in his address at the meeting with stakeholders in Lokoja.

He told the stakeholders, comprising various political parties, civil society organisations , traditional rulers, security agencies and other interest groups that the preparation towards local government election is at the top gear .

According to KOSIEC chairman, the new law is being aligned with the INEC Electoral Act is to ensure that conduct of election to the local government is credible free, fair, and transparent .

He added that the law is expected to address concerns on the issues around electoral process, voter registration, candidate nomination, and the overall management of Local Government elections.

Also, he stressed further that the new law is to provide clarity on the tenure of local government officials and the procedures for their election.

‘By aligning with the INEC Electoral Act, the state may be able to improve the legitimacy and credibility of its local government elections, potentially leading to more effective governance at the grassroots level.

‘KOSIEC remains committed to transparency that will provide a level playing field for all the political gladiators and their parties.’

‘This stakeholders gathering will allow us to showcase the new 2025 electoral law that would guide us in the conduct of the elections.’

‘This meeting is sacrosanct so that every stakeholder will have a say in making a timetable for the elections.’

‘Stakeholders should as a matter of necessity begin sensitization of our citizens on the new electoral law and the value of the electoral process generally, as well as the need for voters to come out in their large numbers to exercise their franchise’, said Eri

However, the stakeholders raised concern over roles and contempt, including budgetary provision to guarantee the forth coming local government election, since the tenure of the present local government leaderhip is about to wind up.

The chairman of Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina stated that the implementation of the framed up new law by the KOSIEC in alignment with INEC’s provisions may make officials of KOSIEC liable to contempt .

He advised that the document should be given holistic view before being used for the coming local government election to avoid being trapped in the embedded legal implications associated with the new laws .

‘It may be difficult for the KOSIEC to implement some of the INEC laws being aligned with to the letter ; several of the clauses may implicate KOSIEC into contempt charges’, said Ozovehe.

Also, the Executive Director of Initiative for Grass-root Advancement (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu Ibrahim raised the issue of budgetary provision that will create enabling environment for the conduct of the election.

‘We are not compelled by law to do it , but chose to do it . Am wondering how this election is going to be conducted without a budgetary provision.

‘The state government has not presented a supplementary budget to that effect. It may not be feasible to finance the election as being envisaged since there is no budgetary back up, and the tenure of the present local government officials is about to expire’, he said .

The Kogi State Government swore in the present elected Local Government Chairmen on October 21, 2024, two days after the local government election held on October 19, 2024.